"To receive such a huge fine on my very first day at a new job is a real blow," she said.

She wrote to the council, respectfully requesting they look at all the circumstances, including photographic evidence of how well-used the area was, and consider waiving the fine.

"I did not mean to park illegally," she wrote in her letter.

"I unwittingly went back to park there on that date as I thought this must be allowed, given the lack of street parking available in an area that council has allowed corporate offices to be built, especially as the dozen other cars were there too.

"If many people have been caught out, may I suggest that it would be a community-oriented act towards good and law abiding citizens for the council to install signage?

"I respectfully request that you kindly waive the fine and also install signage or some type of fencing or chain across the gap, as it appears to be a thoroughfare with many people using it, so that the matter is clear to all."

Her request was unsuccessful.

"I received a letter late in September saying my request had been denied," Ms Ting said.